The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) has announced that their pledge aimed at Irish Artists to boycott Isreal in support of the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement has passed the 1,000 signatory mark. The signatories include actors, writers, poets, painters, sculptors, film-makers, dancer, architects, composers, designers and musicians who are Irish or based in Ireland.
Artists who have signed the pledge include; Stephen Rea, Sinéad Cusack, Donal Lunny, Andy Irvine, Damien Dempsey, Sharon Shannon, Robert Ballagh, Mary Black, Kíla, Sisterix, CMAT, Pillow Queens, Kneecap, TPM, Steo Wall, Oein DeBhairduin and Roisin El Cherif as well as established figures Kevin Barry, Joe Rooney, Mary Coughlan, Derbhle Crotty, Paul Duane and Eugene O’Hare.
Would you look at this, over 1,000! It’s amazing and we are so delighted to reach this landmark of Irish solidarity with #Palestine. #BDS is UNSTOPPABLE
Over 1000 Irish artists pledge to boycott Israel in support of Palestine https://t.co/swFxLJ68Z1 via @hotpress— IPSC (@ipsc48) January 25, 2021
Signing this pledge means these artists will not perform in the apartheid state of Isreal. In a statement of the IPSC website, it states; “these artists refuse to allow their art to be exploited by an apartheid state that disregards international law and universal principles of human rights.”
Zoë Lawlor, IPSC Cultural Liaison spoke about the news to Hotpress saying; “We are very proud to have so many artists sign up to our pledge, reaching 1,000 signatories is a huge landmark in Irish solidarity with Palestine and a serious statement in support of the Palestinian struggle for freedom, justice and equality.”
“As the indigenous Palestinian people endure their 73rd year of dispossession, ethnic cleansing, apartheid and enforced exile, and western governments fail to sanction Israel, they need the solidarity of people of conscience – and this pledge plays a major part in that, Irish artists have faced an extremely difficult year, but have still shown their support for the Palestinian people, and it is both moving and heartening so see such empathy and shared humanity.”
If you are an Irish artist or an artist based in Ireland and would like to add your signature, please contact culturalboycott@ipsc.ie. The full pledge is below.
“In response to the call from Palestinian civil society for a cultural boycott of Israel, we pledge not to avail of any invitation to perform or exhibit in Israel, nor to accept any funding from any institution linked to the government of Israel, until such time as Israel complies with international law and universal principles of human rights.”
